Security stepped up at four Rawalpindi-Azad Kashmir entry points

RAWALPINDI: Police have further increased security and surveillance at four sensitive entry points linking Rawalpindi district with Azad Kashmir in an effort to prevent terrorist activity and maintain peace amid the current security situation.

According to a security plan prepared by police, special pickets at Azad Pattan, Bewar, Salgran and Dhan Gali have been placed on heightened alert. Personnel deployed there have been instructed to remain vigilant at all times, scan vehicles, and maintain contact with the main police control room.

The arrangement provides for round-the-clock duty in two 12-hour shifts at the four pickets, with each shift working under the supervision of an inspector and a sub-inspector. The overall supervision of the deployment has been assigned to SSP Operations Malik Tariq Mehboob under the command of City Police Officer Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani.

Deployment at checkpoints

At the Azad Pattan picket, two assistant sub-inspectors, two constables from Kahuta police station and 10 armed Punjab Constabulary personnel have been deployed in each 12-hour shift.

At the Dhan Gali checkpost, the deployment in two shifts includes one sub-inspector and one ASI, each with a wireless set, as well as two and three constables, three and four constables from Kallar Syedan police station, and 10 and nine armed Punjab Constabulary personnel.

At the Bewar checkpost, each shift consists of two ASIs equipped with wireless sets, two constables from Kahuta police station, 10 armed Punjab Constabulary personnel and three constables from Guard.

At the Salgran checkpost, police have deployed one ASI, three constables from Kallar Syedan police station, six and four constables from Guard, and six and eight armed Punjab Constabulary personnel in the two shifts.

Instructions for personnel

Police assigned to the pickets have been directed to carry out effective checking, with particular attention to suspicious vehicles and individuals. Officers have also been told to strictly follow all standard operating procedures to avoid any untoward incident.

The deputy superintendents of police of the relevant circles and station house officers have been instructed to perform their duties in line with the SOPs. Helmets, bulletproof jackets and wireless sets have been made mandatory for all personnel posted at the checkposts.

Police have also been asked to remain on high alert in view of the threat of terrorism, sabotage and suicide attacks reported in different parts of the country. They were further instructed not to use mobile phones unnecessarily while on duty and to remain extremely alert for their own safety.